LEADER, June 26 2020

Think about the repercussions

 

It is disappointing that safety signs and barriers have been vandalised and removed from Forestry and Land Scotland's felling site on Beinn Ghuilean just weeks after the hill's mountain biking community warned of the dangers of debris placed across trails.

 

While there is no proof that these apparently deliberate incidents are related, we can't help but wonder if the same people could be responsible.

 

Police have reported seeing young people running away from them as officers approached them on the hill.

 

This must be an incredibly hard time for adolescents, living through an unprecedented global pandemic at such a critical time in their lives.

 

The situation presents challenges for all of us but many young adults will be missing out on once-in-a-lifetime events but, on the whole, their attitude has been truly admirable.

 

It is a shame that the actions of a few could tarnish the reputation of many young people who deserve huge amounts of praise for behaving so maturely during an incredibly difficult time.

 

The actions also go far beyond typical teenage high jinks as they place people in real danger - what do those responsible gain from this, and do they appreciate the seriousness of their actions?